New research reveals lasting strength of Kiwi generosity, with local charities set to benefit

New research released by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) suggests that charitable gifts in wills are of significant interest among New Zealanders who already give to charity, and Kura Tāwhiti – Canterbury Community Foundation and other local charities are set to benefit.

The CFANZ survey of over 3,000 New Zealanders across different regions, ages and incomes was carried out by independent research consultancy BERL and found that 52.3% of New Zealanders surveyed were interested in the idea of leaving a gift in their will to charity - with 17.4% indicating that they have already done so.

The voluntary, self-selected survey was a close-up look at a population of those who already give - 90.5% of respondents had donated in the past year - so the findings reflect a giving-oriented group rather than the population as a whole.

“These findings reflect what we are already seeing every day here in Canterbury: local people give because they care about this region, but that care doesn’t stop at the end of their lifetime. Over half the survey respondents who give to charity say they are open to including a gift in their will, which aligns with what we hear through our own experience and relationships within this community,” says Lynne Umbers, Kura Tāwhiti Foundation CEO.

“At Kura Tāwhiti, we believe philanthropy should be something everyone can participate in, and that there are many ways to make a meaningful difference. We know that fewer than one in five people who receive professional advice ever have a conversation about charitable giving, so there is a real opportunity to work with local lawyers, accountants and financial advisors to make these conversations more commonplace. But it’s also about encouraging all Cantabrians to think about the future they want to help build, and how each of us can contribute to it meaningfully.”

“And with September being Wills Month, the timing couldn’t be better. We’re encouraging all Cantabrians to make a will or update an existing one, and to consider the option of including a charitable gift in their will as a way to keep giving back to the people and communities they love for generations to come,” says Umbers.

Key findings from the BERL research include:

• Over half of respondents (52.3%) indicated interest in leaving a charitable gift in their will, with 17.4% indicating they have already done so, 25.4% thinking about it and 9.5% planning to do so in the future.

• Almost 9 in 10 people (87.6%) give to local causes.

• The top reason people leave a gift in their will is that it aligns with their personal values (69.3%).

• The top reason holding people back from leaving a charitable gift in their will is wanting to look after family first (72.6%).

• Only 20.2% of those who received professional advice indicated that the topic of charitable giving had been raised.

• 90.5% of respondents had donated in the past year, compared with 61% of New Zealanders nationally (CAF World Giving Report 2026) - reflecting the fact that this research draws on a sample of people who already give. 

  
  

“What we’re hearing from people across the region is that many are open to the idea of leaving a charitable gift in their will. And with a significant intergenerational wealth transfer of $1.6T anticipated over the coming decades, there is real potential for some of that generosity to benefit the communities and causes people care about, which is encouraging news for the future of our local charities,” says Umbers.

September is Wills Month in New Zealand, an annual reminder for people to make a will, update an existing one and to consider leaving a charitable gift.

A summary of the BERL research findings around charitable gifts in wills can be accessed here, with the full research report Giving in Aotearoa NZ being released in November.

To learn more about leaving a charitable gift in your will, visit our Bequests page, or get in touch for a no-pressure chat about your circumstances.

Keen to get involved this Wills Month? Check out our local event line-up here. You can also create your own will online for free here.